Chapter One
Those who would choose to remember the flawed Galactic Empire would also remember that the tyranny of Palpatine appeared absolute and unshakeable. Palpatine once boasted that his Empire would stand for a thousand years or more. Naturally, since his regime was so corrupt and amoral, internal resistance sprang up shortly after he took control, growing stronger with each brutal atrocity. Of course, a history of this Empire should not simply begin with the day Palpatine declared himself Emperor. It must consider the circumstances that led to an atmosphere in which such an event was possible in the first place.
The Republic fell victim to its own success. The sprawling representative government sought to oversee territory spanning a large portion of the galaxy and the cumbersome set of checks and balances made simple decisions impossible. Too many senators and planetary governors began to adopt the view that the existing system of government, nearly as old as history itself, would continue through sheer force of inertia. They would no longer put their best efforts into enacting legislation and meeting the needs of their constituents. The Republic grew stagnant. Laziness and complacency became the rule and with laziness came corruption.
The Old Republic had once been a monument to frailty, chaos, and uncertainty. The New Order Palpatine promised would trade frailty for strength, chaos for order, and uncertainty for decisiveness. At first, the Empire proved to be an unknown variable. Some senators embraced the New Order while others watched cautiously to see what might develop. Palpatine, however, wasted no time in consolidating his rule. My family house, House Sizhran, was at the height of its social, political, and criminal influence during this time. My philosophy is, "If you can't afford to lose, then you shouldn't play the game." And to contend with me, is to lose. After the fall of the Republic I saw a tremendous opportunity and extended my loyalty and friendship to the new Emperor on behalf of the Royal Family of Falleen. I started assisting with the construction of their second Death Star and even gave them the location of a Rebel base. Seven years into the Empire's reign, there was a deadly biological weapon malfunction at an Imperial lab on our homeworld. Lord Vader ordered the destruction of the city and the execution of my family and many others. I am the last remaining member of House Sizhran and I vowed to exact my revenge on him if it took the rest of my life and every Imperial credit I had to my name.
During this time, however, the Empire was not the only failed regime that I observed. It was fascinating watching the Empire and the Rebel Alliance fight battle after battle. I must admit, there is a certain level of respect that I hold for the Rebel leadership. Their convictions and determination were admirable, maybe a bit misguided, but admirable. Never a warrior, Mon Mothma overturned an Empire, not with weapons, but through the convictions of her words. After the Battle of Yavin and following an angry clash with Mon Mothma over her proposed attack on the Imperial fortress world, Milvayne, Senator Garm Bel Iblis left the Rebel Alliance. Finally, the Emperor saw an opportunity as Mon Mothma stood alone. With Bail Organa dead on Alderaan after it was destroyed by the Death Star and now distrust had unhinged the remaining leaders of the Alliance. The core of the Rebellion was struck with the Emperor's Hand. The Empire's deadliest agent, Mara Jade.
The Emperor discovered Mara Jade when she was just a girl. Raised on Palpatine's estate, Mara became an expert combatant, spy, and assassin as well as an excellent blade dualist wielding her violet-hewd lightsaber. Mara familiarized herself with the dossiers of the Empire's enemies and after winning their trust, quickly assassinated Mon Mothma late one night in her room. After she had retreated back to her master and upon the discovery of Mon Mothma's lifeless body, blame was immediately placed on the only individual in the Alliance that wielded a lightsaber, Luke Skywalker. After much painful investigation, Skywalker was eventually cleared of all charges and released from prison. He rose quickly through the ranks of the Rebel Alliance and even though they were without a leader, Skywalker felt that there was only one being in the galaxy that could restore order to the shattered Rebellion. Skywalker journeyed back to Dagobah and explained to a disgraced Master Yoda what had transpired since his defeat at the hands of the Emperor. Yoda agreed to end his exile and take his place as leader of the Rebellion.
